This is my first tractor as well. Ive got about 90 hours on it. I'm pretty sure the auto throttle only works for driving the tractor. Learned by doing since it's not in the manual. If your sitting still and using the FEL you'll want to manually engage the throttle or it will move very slow and be less effective. As for the backhoe I only installed it a week ago so I've only used it to mount and unmount it but I've done some digging to answer new owner/missing manual questions like this. Been thinking maybe I should start a thread just for owners to share what they have discovered which is missing from the manual. (How to install a new RK backhoe with no installation manual provided, filter part #'s not in manual or on the filters, What type/brand fluids, how does the auto throttle work exactly. How does the rear hydro lever operate and detents) Pretty endless list of missing things. Some things more experienced folks will know or assume but that's no excuse for selling the tractors without this information.